A visit route specially designed for families can be downloaded from the “Lot and Randos Circuits” app. In Figeac, we follow in the footsteps of the child of the country, Jean-François Champollion, who was the first to decipher the hieroglyphs, it was just two centuries ago.
A square and a museum of world scriptures bear the name of the famous Egyptologist. Figeac is also its medieval historic center which houses the restored houses of wealthy merchants who traded with the major ports of the Mediterranean.
“While walking through the keys, we stop at a small community bar, L’Arrosoir, created at the foot of an 18th century private mansion. And there, it’s a good opportunity to meet the people of Figeac, and to cut the bib with them”explains Pierre Kovacic, director of the tourist office of Grand Figeac – Lot and Célé valley.
In Figeac, you can also stroll along the lesser-known southern slope, on the rue de Crussol and rue de Saint-Thomas side.
“This district is full of small alleys with an Italian atmosphere with little secret gardens, and it’s also good to get lost in them.”
In the heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park (labeled a Global Geopark by UNESCO), explore the Célé valley, named after the wild river. This natural site is distinguished by its exceptional fauna and flora, which have earned it Natura 2000 classification.
“The small river Célé flows, its name comes from celerity, that means a little fast, there are still dams and passes that tame it.”
From Figeac you can get to Tour-de-Faure in 4 days and 3 nights: 27 km by electric bike, 34 km on foot, and 12 km by canoe. On the side of the village of Brengues, we observe the Raven, which hovers like a bird of prey while doing loops.
While in Marcilhac-sur-Célé we visit the imposing St Pierre abbey; At the Cuzals Ecomuseum, you can discover farm life in the Quercy countryside in the 19th century, and (in real life!) on the surrounding dry lawns, you can see the “Causses du Lot” sheep, recognizable by its dark glasses!
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Also typical are the troglodyte dwellings clinging to the cliffs of Vieux Sauliac and the dry stone shepherds’ huts of Saint-Sulpice.
“All along the valley, we admire small ocher-colored cliffs, and as the valley is relatively narrow, we really evolve in another universe, when you go down in the canoe, suddenly you will come across a martin- sinner.”
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From Orniac, we go down the Célé river to the port of Bouziès, where the otters also point their noses. Then we make a stopover in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. A masterpiece of medieval times, this town perched on a cliff is ranked among the most beautiful villages in France.
The “Saponaire” stay (named after a plant with pink flowers that contains a substance that foams like soap) is from 190 euros per person. Half-board accommodation in guest rooms or stopover lodges along the route.
IN PRACTICE
Saponaire stay: 4/3 nights, from 9 years old.
Cahors Lot Valley Tourist Office: 05 65 53 20 65
tourisme-cahors.fr
Grand Figeac Tourist Office: 05 65 34 06 25
tourisme-figeac.com